Status: 09/12/2022 06:34
With floating terminals for tankers with liquefied natural gas (LNG), Germany wants to make itself less dependent on Russian gas imports in the coming months. In Hamburg the difficulties are obviously much greater than previously known. According to a report by the “Hamburger Abendblatt”, environmental senator Jens Kerstan (Verdi) is now asking the federal government for help.
“Dear Robert …”: Thus begins the three-page letter from environmental senator Jens Kerstan (Verdi) to his party colleague, Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck. In it, Kerstan lists five key points where a floating LNG terminal in Moorburg is stuck.
AUDIO: LNG terminal: Hamburg asks federal government for help (1 min)
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Five central problems for the construction of an LNG terminal
Consequently, Hamburg does not find any operators. In addition, at least 500,000 cubic meters of silt should be dredged in Moorburg. In addition, the federal government would have to bear the millions in planning and construction costs. Another problem: port operations further upstream, such as a refinery, would be temporarily suspended and South Elbe would have to be temporarily closed. Kerstan expects legal action and therefore, according to the letter, wants the federal government to bear the risk.
Time is running out
Time is of the essence: for the terminal to be operational in the spring, the outstanding issues should be clarified in the coming weeks. The LNG import terminal has been causing disputes in the Senate for months. Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) and Environment Senator Kerstan have come out in favor of this several times. Senator for economics Michael Westhagemann (independent) expressed strong concerns at the beginning, as did the port industry.
A plant for the production of “green hydrogen” was also to be built in Moorburg. If a liquid gas terminal were to be in the same place next year, the hydrogen plant could experience significant delays.
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